Bluetooth technology has been around for 20 years since 1994, and has now developed to version 4.1. However, new connection technologies such as NFC and Wi-Fi seem to pose a threat to Bluetooth technology, so will Bluetooth eventually be replaced?
What can Bluetooth technology do?
Bluetooth is a wireless communication technology that can achieve wireless connection of local devices, such as data transmission between mobile phones, audio transmission between mobile phones and Bluetooth speakers and headphones, and also has certain control permissions. Many keyboards, mice and game controllers also use Bluetooth technology.
The latest application form of Bluetooth is the "Internet of Things". Many smart furniture and wearable devices are actually connected through Bluetooth; in addition, it is also used more in the field of innovative technology, such as Bluetooth-generated password door locks, home alarms, etc. There is no doubt that Bluetooth is currently the most mainstream and convenient wireless connection technology.
The development of Bluetooth technology
The latest version of Bluetooth is 4.1, which can transmit data to the host in an enhanced form, bringing more flexibility to developers. Early Bluetooth needed to communicate directly with the host, but now the device can store data separately and then feed it back to the host.
For example, if the currently popular pedometer or sports bracelet products use Bluetooth version 4.0 or below, they need to send data to the mobile phone in batches, which is more power-consuming; while version 4.1 can store data and send it to the mobile phone after the operation is completed. This is a more efficient way to reduce dependence on mobile phones and save electricity. This function will also have a huge impact on IoT devices, but since version 4.1 was only officially released in December last year, it will take time to popularize.
Competitors: NFC and Wi-Fi
Although Bluetooth technology has been improving, competitors are also emerging, such as NFC and Wi-Fi. First of all, let's look at NFC (near field communication technology). Its feature is that the connection form is easier. As long as the NFC-enabled devices are lightly touched, they can be connected. It is particularly suitable for point-to-point connection at a short distance, and the power consumption is also lower. However, its disadvantage is also the distance. It requires a contact of about 4 cm to achieve transmission, while Bluetooth can currently achieve a connection distance of 100 meters.
At present, NFC usually plays the role of a "bridge". Android devices often use NFC as a way to verify Bluetooth, allowing users to avoid the tedious pairing and directly achieve Bluetooth connection through contact. Samsung S-Beam also uses a similar form, but it connects not Bluetooth but Wi-Fi.
Obviously, due to its own distance limitations, NFC cannot replace Bluetooth, but complements it, so it is actually not much of a threat to Bluetooth.
Let's look at Wi-Fi. Compared with NFC, Wi-Fi has no distance limit and is very similar to Bluetooth in many aspects, so it is more threatening. The Wi-Fi direct connection function has been used by many devices, such as Sony QX series wireless lenses, Sonos speakers, etc., involving printing, games, videos, music, displays and other fields. In addition, compared with Bluetooth's 24Mbps transmission rate, Wi-Fi can achieve a maximum speed of 250Mbps, and is expected to achieve a data transmission speed of 2GB per second in the future, which is one of the advantages that Bluetooth cannot achieve.
So, will Wi-Fi directly replace Bluetooth? Maybe. But this does not mean that Bluetooth devices will disappear completely. Because the biggest drawback of Wi-Fi is its high power consumption, it is not suitable for wearable, fitness and other devices that require low-power transmission. But for home use, such as wireless speakers, video synchronization transmission and other fields, Wi-Fi is obviously more advantageous.
The future of wireless transmission
Obviously, after 20 years of development, Bluetooth technology has many fans, and the technology is constantly improving. Manufacturers like Jawanda are still optimistic about Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth's low cost, high performance, simplicity and universality are all parts that manufacturers favor.
Of course, the aggressiveness of Wi-Fi cannot be ignored, but in the short term, it will still appear as a supplement to Bluetooth. Only by using more suitable wireless connection technology for different devices can the devices have the most perfect user experience.